Where it is
South Denver near Downing and I-25.
Description
Wash Park has an excellent gravel running path that winds for roughly 2.6 miles around its outer edge. You’ll find people running here at all hours of the day and night. The loop is mostly flat, with a few gradual ups and downs. Much of the run is under big beautiful trees, so there’s good shade on hot days. The path has only a few road crossings, and drivers in the area know to watch for runners. It’s a great place for a tempo run or a mellow jog.
Part of the fun of Wash Park is the people. You’ll see runners of all kinds – serious runners, casual joggers, and everyone in between. I often run there at lunchtime during the week, and can usually count on seeing a couple of the regular runners I recognize. You’ll also see baby strollers, speed walkers, volleyballers, frisbee golfers, dog walkers, yoga groups, weddings, families, parties…you name it. Weekend days during the summer are crazy and the path can get pretty busy. That’s part of the fun!
The park has a couple of portapotties at different spots, and the Wash Park rec center also has facilities. You’ll see water bottles and Gatorade stashed by trees as people work on long runs, and I’ve no problems doing the same.
Some runners don’t like gravel, and if not, you can also run on the paved road inside the park. Just make sure you run on the pedestrian side to avoid the road bikes whizzing by. If you need a place for a timed speed workout, South High (immediately south of the park) has a dirt track with a decent surface that’s always open for runners. You can also take the gravel path from the north side of the Park up Marion St Parkway and Downing to the Cherry Creek bike path, and from there go towards Downtown or south towards Cherry Creek.
Directions
From the South:
Exit I-25N at Downing Street, and turn right/north at Downing. The SW corner of the park is three blocks north. You’ll find easier parking on the south and east sides of the park.
From Boulder/Westminster/North:
Exit I-25S at Alameda, and turn left/east. Travel east to Downing, then make a right/south turn. The NE corner of the park is two blocks south.
Parking
You can park anywhere on the streets surrounding Wash Park. On busy weekends, you may want to park in the South High parking lot at Franklin and Louisiana on the south side of the park.